Etymology 2

Adjective

1785: Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim
against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as
being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different
periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and
corrupt, (...) as those who have lately figured on the political
stage. — The Times, 9 Feb 1785, p.1 col. C

Antonyms

Related terms

Venality is a vice associated with being for
sale, especially when one should act justly instead. This is mostly
considered a vice rather than a virtue.

In its most recognizable form, dishonesty,
venality causes people to lie and steal for their personal
advantage, and is related to bribery and nepotism, among other
vices.

Venality in its mild form is a vice notable
especially among those with government or militarycareers. In these fields, one is
supposed to act with justice and honor, and should not accept
bribes. This ensures that the organization isn't susceptible to
self-interested parties. For people to accept settlements and
legislation, the
acts of the government must be seen as
just. This perception enhances the legitimacy of the government.
Venality is a term often used with reference to pre-revolutionary
France, where it describes the then-widespread practice of
selling administrative positions within the government to the
highest bidder.

In contrast, no one would be surprised to find a
merchant or hired person making professional decisions for venal
reasons. In fact, Adam Smith and
other libertarianeconomists might
argue that venality is a virtue, because it helps create the
invisible
hand that controls market forces. Nonetheless, this may be why
many militaristic
societies frequently despise merchants.

2. The quality of being venal; readiness to give
support or favour in return for profit or reward; prostitution of
talents or principles for mercenary
considerations.

In contrast to the previous interpretation,
greed or dishonesty are not
specifically expressed in the literal meaning, but is often
implied, also the condition of refusing to act justly is not a literal
component of the word's meaning. By its strict definition,
committing venal acts does not indicate "stealing", but rather
suggests a consensual arrangement, perhaps without conscience or
regard for consequences, but is is not synonymous with stealing.
Though venality is generally used as a pejorative term, an
individual or entity could be venal (or mercenary) and not be
corrupt or unethical. One could perform one's duties or job in a
perfunctory manner in order to collect a wage or payment, or
prostitute one's time
or skills for monetary or material gain, without necessarily being
dishonest.

Much contemporary use of the words venal or venality is applied to modern
professional athletes, particularly baseball, basketball and American
football players in the United States. The implication being
that the high-priced players are essentially "hired guns" with no
allegiance to any
team or city, and are motivated solely by the acquisition of
material wealth.

Several so-called Reality TV
programs have been criticized for their promotion of venal
behavior; specifically
Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?, in which fifty women
competed to marry a presumed multi-millionaire who was shown only
in silhouette. The
premise that the contestants would compete to marry an unseen
stranger for no other reason than his wealth would be an example of
venality.